Is Khabib Nurmagomedov coming out of retirement?
Talk of Khabib Nurmagomedov's return was recently sparked by Rafael dos Anjos on Twitter. However, to the fans' dismay, it can be chalked up to wishful thinking from the Brazilian southpaw.
The return of Khabib Nurmagomedov has been one of the most anticipated topics in the MMA community ever since he left his gloves in the octagon after recording the 29th win of his career at UFC 254. Rafael dos Anjos recently offered fans a faulty lifeline, hinting at a potential return to competition by 'The Eagle'.
In a bid to set up a fight against Khabib Nurmagomedov, Rafael dos Anjos called for a rematch against 'The Eagle' in the aftermath of his potential triumph against Khabib's heir apparent, Islam Makhachev. However, he was soon shot down.
An RDA vs. Khabib fight is implausible
While the Brazilian may very well be on his way to clashing with Islam Makhachev, a fight against the former champion seems highly unlikely. What's more, the fact that Khabib Nurmagomedov overcame Rafael dos Anjos back in 2014 does no favors to the Brazilian's claim.
Another thorn in the way of making this fight is the fact that Rafael dos Anjos will actually have to overcome the challenge posed by Islam Makhachev in a bid to set a fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov up.
However, the veteran southpaw's chances seem rather bleak. Seemingly floundering, RDA has barely recorded two wins in his last five fights against the likes of Kevin Lee and Paul Felder. While his efforts against Lee and Felder cannot be understated, they cannot be regarded as outstanding accomplishments either.
Islam Makhachev, on the other hand, is currently riding an impressive 8-fight win streak. The odds are naturally in the Dagestani youngster's favor.
Does Khabib Nurmagomedov really need to return?
During his tenure in the UFC, Khabib Nurmagomedov effectively consolidated his position at the very top of the deepest division in the MMA circuit as a whole. That is precisely why his retirement after his title defense against Justin Gaethje was a shock to every single MMA fan and pundit.
Although Khabib has pulled away from active competition, he has played a monumental role in the careers of up-and-coming fighters. Islam Makhachev, for instance, is one among those. While RDA may not get the opportunity to fight Khabib Nurmagomedov again, he will have to settle for an eerily similar fighter in Islam Makhachev.